Baseball 2017 Grayson

Well, another season of baseball is almost over. For all the craziness that comes with baseball season I'd have to say I'm a little sad that it will soon be finished. We have two post season tournaments to play in, then it will be done. This season we only had seven teams throughout the season.  Tristan and Colin were on a team together. Colin will be playing in a post season tournament. Unfortunately, Tristan is nine days too old to participate which is a big bummer. Liam was on two teams and will be playing a post season tournament. Declan and Grayson were on different teams this year. So basically the past two and a half months have been spent playing games, watching games and of course what do we do when there are no games? We go to the park and play/practice baseball.

Grayson stayed in t-ball this season. Although, it may be somewhat crazy to watch and seem like it never ends it is an important part of the learning process. Grayson was a bit more focused while playing this year and only tried to get the ball half the time no matter where it went. His team was Texas A&M and had a few players from last year as well as a sibling of Liam's friend which Grayson was pretty excited about.

Ready to play

Going after a ball.

Waiting his turn to hit

Ready to hit

Running to third base

Sometimes you just have to draw in the dirt while you wait for your teammate to hit. 

Sometimes you check out the airplane in the sky

Sliding/jumping home

He's safe!

 Most of the time Grayson was on the move and watching the ball. 

Of course sometimes you need a little rest. 

He is always hustling. 

This set of pictures really shows how much he pays attention to his big brothers as they play. His form, accuracy and force that he can throw a ball is pretty impressive at his age. 

Great season Grayson! 

Last week of school

Once again here I am at the end of June thinking how fast the time has gone. The boys have been out of school a month already. The end of the school year came with two "graduations", one honors night, and the end to four different school with four different start and end times.

First,  Grayson graduated from preschool. He attended the public school preschool where they focused on his speech. Over this school year he has worked hard and has become so much better to understand. He does not get frustrated like he used to because we can now understand what he is saying so much clearer. He had wonderful teachers that although Grayson says, he "doesn't learn at school" were very patient and brought out his voice. He is very excited to be starting kindergarten at the same school as Liam and Declan. Grayson was accepted into the dual language program at Crestridge too. So like Liam and Declan he will spend half the day learning in English and half the day learning in Spanish.

Grayson picked out his own graduation outfit. He was very excited to wear a bow tie and insisted on these new shoes. He was so cute and proud.

Next we had Declan's kindergarten graduation. He talked about the program for a month and was nervous and excited for the last day of school. Declan has grown so much this year becoming a strong reader in both English and Spanish. One of the best things about the dual language program to me is when you ask Declan what he has learned in Spanish class he says he hasn't learned Spanish yet. He is kind of right. He isn't being taught Spanish he is being taught in Spanish. This is the most amazing process to watch. I am amazed constantly by his fluency. Declan is excited for first grade but says he misses kindergarten. He has two great teachers waiting for him. 

Such a handsome boy. He was very excited to wear his suspenders to school. 

Carrying his "diploma" is serious work.

Liam did not have any ceremony to end fourth grade. (which is ok by me) He did have an end of the year picnic at school where we enjoyed lunch outside. Again I am amazed and proud of the work he has done this year. Being part of the dual language program has made Liam in to a multilingual child who can speak fluent Spanish and a good deal of Chinese.  Next year is his last year in the elementary school. The district has moved all sixth grade to the middle schools and Liam will be the first class from his school moving early. He is really excited to start the summer with Camp Hummell and travel. 

Colin had eighth grade awards night where he earned two big awards. First he earned the Gold President's Education Award for the second time. He also earned a bronze medal for the nation German test. We are very proud of  him. Unfortunately, the awards night was canceled due to tornado warnings but we were still able to celebrate his achievements. Next fall he starts high school! Oh me oh my! 

Mr. Tristan. He has had an amazing first year of high school. Greg and I have been beyond proud of the hard work and dedication he has given this year. Tristan had a pretty heavy load of classes including zero hour the first semester and a whole year of  both biology and chemistry. Tristan did an amazing job of making sure he studied and worked hard on all his school work. He had almost all A's with just one B in English. (not his favorite subject) We look forward to watching grow and learn next year as a sophomore.

A quick look at the first day and last day of school pictures to see how they all have grown.

Happy Birthday To You, and You and You

10

We now have three boys in double digits! Oh my! Liam celebrated his 10th birthday last weekend. He is very excited to be a double digit age now. We celebrated with a few baseball games and a dinner at our house with family. Such a grown up boy.

 Liam showing off his new stuffed animal. A lemur he named Liamur.

And of course what would a birthday be without Legos. 

 Playing gaga ball on the trampoline. 

14

Colin is now 14!  It was a pretty busy birthday but we started it off with a silly string battle on the trampoline. I think they had a bit of fun with it. We also enjoyed a baseball tournament for Liam where his team played three games. We also went bowling, and to the movies. All in all a pretty good birthday.

15

Holy smokes this boy is 15 years old! How did this happen? Well, it happened two months ago actually and I am a bit behind sharing. Tristan enjoyed his birthday watching his youngest brothers play baseball, trying out the indoor rock climbing place and eating a special dinner out. He also attempted to get his drivers permit. Wait.... what he can start driving?! Well soon enough he will start driving for now he has to study the permit test before he can even get his permit. Third times the charm right. 

Happy birthday Tristan, Colin and Liam. We love looking back and remembering you as the little boys you once were. We are proud of the boys you are today and await to see what boys you will be in the future. 

Lion King

Liam's school had the honor of presenting Disney's Lion King. They were five school chosen to be a part of the Disney Musicals in School program. Liam was so excited when he found out he could try out to be in the show. He stayed after school every Tuesday and Thursday from September through February for practice and rehearsals. It was many hours and hard work but it all paid off in the end. They put on a wonderful show. Liam was amazing and had such a great time.

Birthday Boy

Happy 5th Birthday Grayson

Yes, our little man is five years old and boy is he excited to have hit the big 5!

Grayson is a Batman loving, Lego building, goofy, sweet little/big boy. 

He is such a sweet boy. I love the way he always runs back to me, gives me a kiss and a hug before he goes into school and tells me he loves me and I'm beautiful. Makes me smile every day.

He can play and build Legos on his own for long periods of time but of course he loves when his brothers want to play too. Grayson is certainly our most independent boy. If he wants something he will get it, even if it means climbing the counters to do so. He brings so much love, happiness and joy to our family.

Grayson exploring his new bat cave that Mommy and Grandma Shockey made him.

So proud of his Birthday crown from school.

Over Grayson's birthday weekend we took a little trip to North Platte to meet up with Lindsey and the girls. Grayson's big request for his day was to eat donuts! He was very happy.

More donuts on the way home. Happy Birthday boy!

Happy Birthday my little man!